Ball-trap



T. M. SMITH.`

Ball-Trap'.

Patented Feb. 3.1880.

N. PETERSA FMOTo-UTHQGRAPME `lis UNITE-D STATES THOMAS M. SMITH, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

PATENT OFFICE.

BALL-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 224,049, dated February l3, 1880.

I Application filed September 1, 1879.

To all whom @t 'may concern l Be it known that I, THOMAS M. SMITH, of the city of Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented certain Improvements in Ball- Traps, of which the following is a specilication; and I do hereby declare that in the same is contained a full, clear, and exact description of my said invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to the application of an extensible spring to a revolving balltrap in such manner as to utilize the entire inherent force of the spring in the projection of the ball, no intermediate friction-producing mechanism being employed, as is the casein ordinary traps of this class; and the invention consists in combining with a revolving arm having a trigger'device near the point of revolution a forked or double standard at the end of the arm, to which standard is linked a duplicated elastic spring having a cup to receive the ball formedin said spring as a component part thereof, and means for securing said spring to the trigger device of the trap. When the springis released from the trigger the spring constitutes a means of projecting the ball in which centrifugal force derived from the revolution of the arm and the inherent' force of the spring unite, both forces acting on the ball practically in the same direction.

In the description of the said invention which follows reference is madevto the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, and in which- Figure I is an exterior side View of a balltrap embodying my invention. Fig. II is a top or plan vie7 `of the same. Figs. III and IV sho1 modifications in the construction of the improved trap.

Similarletters of reference indicate similar parts in all the views.

A is the upper crosspiece or `table of the trap, which is revoluble. B is a forked standard, to the vends of which is attached, in any suitable manner, the eXtensible spring C. The duplicated portion of the spring C is of sufcient width to hold firmly in place the ball a when the said spring is drawn toward the table A, and to accomplish this result the spring is preferably fitted with a piece of leather, b, which readily conforms to the shape of the ball. a

Suitable devices whereby the duplicated portion of the spring may be easily connected to and disconnected from the table are 'employ'ed; but their exact construction is not a matter of great importance, as any of the appliances commonly in use Will answer the pur pose.

In Figs. I and II two springs of india-rubber are shown as applied to a trap. In Fig. III a single spring of india-rubber is used, which admits of the said spring being of greater length Without a corresponding increase in the size of the table.

The spring illustrated in Fig. IV is of coiled wire, and its action corresponds with that of the rubber spring represented in the preceding figures.

The application of an extensible spring directly to the ball reduces the trap to a very simple device, and one in which the entire force of the spring is utilized in the projection of the ball.

I do not claim, broadly, in a ball-trap, an extensible spring combined with a cup for holding the ball and a trigger device; but,

Having thus described my invention, What I claim 'as new, and Wish to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

The revolving arm A, having a trigger de- I vice, and the forked or double standard B at the end of the arm, combined with the duplicated extensible spring C, having a ball-cup formed therein as a component part thereof, and means of attachment to and detachment from the trigger devices, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 2d day of May, A. D. 187 9.

THOMAS M'. SMITH.

Witnesses:

WM. G. NIcIIoLLs, JNO. T. MADDOX. 

